Gulf War Syndrome - Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

A variety of signs and symptoms have been associated with GWS:

Excess prevalence of general symptoms*
Symptom U.S. UK Australia Denmark
Fatigue 23% 23% 10% 16%
Headache 17% 18% 7% 13%
Memory problems 32% 28% 12% 23%
Muscle/joint pain 18% 17% 5% 2% (<2%)
Diarrhea 16% 9% 13%
Dyspepsia/indigestion 12% 5% 9%
Neurological problems 16% 8% 12%
Terminal tumors 33% 9% 11%
Excess prevalence of recognized medical conditions
Condition U.S. UK Canada Australia
Skin conditions 20 !20–21% 21% 04 !4–7% 4%
Arthritis/joint problems 06 !6–11% 10% 0 !(-1)–3% 2%
Gastro-intestinal (GI) problems 15 !15% 05 !5–7% 1%
Respiratory problem 04 !4–7% 2% 02 !2–5% 1%
Chronic fatigue syndrome 01 !1–4% 3% 0%
Post-traumatic stress disorder 02 !2–6% 9% 06 !6% 3%
Chronic multi-symptom illness 13 !13–25% 26%

Birth defects have been suggested as a consequence of Gulf War deployment. However, a 2006 review of several studies of international coalition veterans' children found no strong or consistent evidence of an increase in birth defects, finding a modest increase in birth rate defects that was within the range of the general population, in addition to being unable to exclude recall bias as an explanation for the results.

Read more about this topic:  Gulf War Syndrome

Famous quotes containing the words signs and, signs and/or symptoms:

    For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles...
    Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 1:22-3.

    Among all the modernized aspects of the most luxurious of industries, the model, a vestige of voluptuous barbarianism, is like some plunder-laden prey. She is the object of unbridled regard, a living bait, the passive realization of an ideal.... No other female occupation contains such potent impulses to moral disintegration as this one, applying as it does the outward signs of riches to a poor and beautiful girl.
    Colette [Sidonie Gabrielle Colette] (1873–1954)

    Protest, evasion, merry distrust, and a delight in mockery are symptoms of health: everything unconditional belongs in pathology.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)